Who will Protect the Night’s Watch?
Legislative Reform and a State Apparatus for the Comprehensive Shielding of South African Whistleblowers
Keywords:
whistleblowing, protection, support, South Africa
Abstract
South Africa’s recent history has been marred by revelations of state capture, which came to the public fore, in part, because of the disclosures of whistleblowers. These whistleblowers enacted the role of the Night’s Watch, much like the eponymous military order in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire high fantasy novels. Utilizing a qualitative approach encompassing two research methods, this paper establishes that whistleblowers protected South Africa alone like a fire burning against the cold, being subjected to various forms of retaliation. The frequency and severity of retaliation was the result of inadequate whistleblower protection legislation. In the absence of adequate legislation, it was civil society that interceded to provide the whistleblowers several forms of support. In light of these findings, this paper puts forward recommendations for the comprehensive shielding of South African whistleblowers. It proposes that it is necessary to revise whistleblower protection law by applying provisions from a number of effective global instruments. It also argues for the establishment of an independent state apparatus concerned with supporting whistleblowers and consolidating civil society efforts.
References
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Martin, G.R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones: Book One of A Song of Ice and Fire. Bantam Books.
Martin, P. (2010). The Status of Whistleblowing in South Africa: Taking stock. Open Democracy Advice Centre.
Miceli, M.P., Near, J.P. & Dworkin, T.M. (2008). Whistle-blowing in Organisations. Routledge.
Mothepu, M. (2021). Uncaptured: The true account of the Nenegate/Trillian whistleblower. Penguin Books.
Myburgh, P-L. (2017). The Republic of Gupta: A Story of State Capture. Penguin Random House South Africa.
Nay, O. (2013). Fragile and failed states: Critical perspectives on conceptual hybrids. International Political Science Review, 34(3), 326-341. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512113480054
Near, J.P., & Miceli, M.P. (1985). Organizational Dissidence: The Case of Whistleblowing. Journal of Business Ethics, 4, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382668
O’Connell, B. (2000). Civil Society: Definitions and Descriptions. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 29(3), 471-478. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764000293007
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Radulovic, U. (2023a). The Predicament of the Unprotected: Why Lacklustre Legislation Fails South African Whistleblowers. African Journal of Business Ethics, 17(1), 54-75. https://doi.org/10.15249/17-1-333
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Uys, T. (2008). Rational Loyalty and Whistleblowing: The South African Context. Current Sociology, 56(6), 904-921. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392108095345
Uys, T. (2014). Riding Off into the Sunset? Establishing an Inclusive Post-Apartheid South African Community. In J.M. Fritz & J. Rhéaume (Eds.), Community Intervention: Clinical Sociology Perspectives (pp. 201-219). Springer.
Uys, T. (2022). Whistleblowing and the Sociological Imagination. Palgrave Macmillan.
Uzelac, S. (2003). Corruption in Transition Countries: "How to Capture a State" - The Example of Montenegro. SEER: Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe, 6(1/2), 103-116. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43291986
Van Vuuren, H. (2017). Apartheid, Guns and Money: A Tale of Profit. Jacana Media.
Wiener, M. (2020). The Whistleblowers. Pan Macmillan South Africa.
World Bank, The. (2000). Anticorruption in Transition: A Contribution to the Policy Debate. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.
Bagashka, T. (2014). Unpacking Corruption: The Effect of Veto Players on State Capture and Bureaucratic Corruption. Political Research Quarterly, 67(1), 165-180. https://doi.org/10.1177/1065912913492584
Basson, A., & du Toit, P. (2017). Enemy of the People: How Jacob Zuma Stole South Africa and How the People Fought Back. Jonathan Ball Publishers.
Beall, J., Gelb, S., & Hassim, S. (2005). Fragile Stability: State and Society in Democratic South Africa. Journal of Southern African Studies, 31(4), 681-700. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25065041
Bhorat, H., Buthelezi, M., Chipkin, I., Duma, S., Mondi, L., Peter, C., Qobo, M., Swilling, M., & Friedenstein, H. (2017). Betrayal of the Promise: How South Africa is Being Stolen. State Capacity Research Project. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Betrayal-of-the-Promise-25052017.pdf
Bieber, F. (2003). Montenegrin Politics since the Disintegration of Yugoslavia. In F. Bieber (Ed.), Montenegro in Transition: Problems of Identity and Statehood (pp. 11-42). Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft.
Breytenbach, G. & Brodie, N. (2017). Rule of Law: A Memoir. Pan Macmillan South Africa.
Brown, A.J., Meyer, D.P., Wheeler, C. & Zuckerman, J. (2014). Whistleblower support in practice: Towards an integrated research model. In A.J. Brown, D. Lewis, R.E. Moberly, & W. Vandekerckhove (Eds.), International Handbook on Whistleblowing Research (pp. 457-494). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Carr, I. & Lewis, D. (2010). Combating Corruption through Employment Law and Whistleblower Protection. Industrial Law Journal, 39(1), 52-81. https://doi.org/10.1093/indlaw/dwp027
Cordis, A.S. & Lambert, E.M. (2017). Whistleblower laws and corporate fraud: Evidence from the United States. Accounting Forum, 41(4), 289-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accfor.2017.10.003
Davis, R. (2020, October 17). Impoverished State Capture whistle-blowers beg banks for relief. Daily Maverick. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-10-17-impoverished-state-capture-whistle-blowers-beg-banks-for-relief/#:~:text=Impoverished%20State%20Capture%20whistle-blowers%20beg%20banks%20for%20relief.,unemployable%2C%20reduced%20to%20extending%20begging%20bowls%20to%20survive
Desai, A. (2018). The Zuma Moment: Between Tender-based Capitalists and Radical Economic Transformation. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 36(4), 499-513. https://doi.org/10.1080/02589001.2018.1522424
Dlamini, S. (2019, February 28). #PICInquiry: En Masse Resignation Could Have Cost PIC its Fais Licence. Cape Times. https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20190228/281900184502130
Dunn, E. (1996). Money, morality and modes of civil society among American Mormons. In C. Hann & E. Dunn (Eds.), Civil Society: Changing Western Models (pp. 27-49). Routledge.
Fazekas, M. & Tóth, I.J. (2016). From Corruption to State Capture: A New Analytical Framework with Empirical Applications from Hungary. Political Research Quarterly, 69(2), 320-334. https://doi.org/10.1177/1065912916639137
Greffrath, W.N. (2015). State dysfunction: The concept and its application to South Africa [PhD Thesis, North-West University, Political Studies].
Head, T. (2018, August 16). Whistleblowers behind #GuptaLeaks reveal Zuma pushed them over the edge. The South African. https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/whistleblowers-guptaleaks-zuma/
Hyslop, J. (2005). Political Corruption: Before and after Apartheid. Journal of Southern African Studies, 31(4), 773-789. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25065046
Kenny, K. & Fotaki, M. (2019). Post-disclosure Survival Strategies: Transforming Whistleblower Experiences. NUI Galway.
Kligman, G. (1990). Reclaiming the Public: A Reflection on Recreating Civil Society in Romania. Eastern European Politics and Societies, 4(3), 393-438. https://doi.org/10.1177/0888325490004003002
Kostić, J.Ž. (2024). The Challenges Related to Whistleblowing in the Field of Environmental Crime Prevention. NBP. Nauka, bezbednost, policija, 29(3), 215–226. https://doi.org/10.5937/nabepo29-51656
Lewis, D. & Uys, T. (2007). Protecting whistleblowers at work: A comparison of the impact of British and South African legislation. Managerial Law, 49(3), 76-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090550710816492
Lodge, T. (1998). Political Corruption in South Africa. African Affairs, 97(387), 157-187. https://www.jstor.org/stable/723262
Longhurst, K. (2016). Implementing the DCFTA in the Context of State Capture: Assessing the Position of Small and Medium Enterprises. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 7(2), 145-164. https://ejes.uaic.ro/articles/EJES2016_0702_LON.pdf
Madonsela, T. (2016). State of Capture. Report No: 6 of 2016/17. A Report of the Public Protector.
Mahlaka, R. (2019a, July 10). PIC Inquiry: Dan Matjila – The Funding Middleman Between the ANC and PIC Beneficiaries. Daily Maverick. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-07-10-pic-inquiry-dan-matjila-the-funding-middleman-between-the-anc-and-pic-beneficiaries/
Mahlaka, R. (2019b, July 10). PIC Inquiry: Gigaba Implicated in Hand-picking PIC Board Members at the Height of State Capture. Daily Maverick. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-07-10-pic-inquiry-gigaba-implicated-in-hand-picking-pic-board-members-at-the-height-of-state-capture/
Martić, M. (2021). Protection of the Rule of Law through Whistleblowing. Regional Law Review, 2(4), 65-80. https://doi.org/10.18485/iup_rlrc.2021.2.ch4
Martin, G.R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones: Book One of A Song of Ice and Fire. Bantam Books.
Martin, P. (2010). The Status of Whistleblowing in South Africa: Taking stock. Open Democracy Advice Centre.
Miceli, M.P., Near, J.P. & Dworkin, T.M. (2008). Whistle-blowing in Organisations. Routledge.
Mothepu, M. (2021). Uncaptured: The true account of the Nenegate/Trillian whistleblower. Penguin Books.
Myburgh, P-L. (2017). The Republic of Gupta: A Story of State Capture. Penguin Random House South Africa.
Nay, O. (2013). Fragile and failed states: Critical perspectives on conceptual hybrids. International Political Science Review, 34(3), 326-341. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512113480054
Near, J.P., & Miceli, M.P. (1985). Organizational Dissidence: The Case of Whistleblowing. Journal of Business Ethics, 4, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382668
O’Connell, B. (2000). Civil Society: Definitions and Descriptions. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 29(3), 471-478. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764000293007
Radulovic, U. (2022). State Capture, Civil Society Organisations and Whistleblowing under the Zuma Presidency [PhD Thesis, University of Johannesburg, Industrial Sociology].
Radulovic, U. (2023a). The Predicament of the Unprotected: Why Lacklustre Legislation Fails South African Whistleblowers. African Journal of Business Ethics, 17(1), 54-75. https://doi.org/10.15249/17-1-333
Radulovic, U. (2023b). The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance? Whistleblowing within the Context of State Capture in South Africa. The Thinker, 97(4), 101-115. https://doi.org/10.36615/the_thinker.v97i4.2863
Radulovic, U. (2023c). The role of whistleblowing as a mechanism to prevent state capture: A case from the Global South. NBP. Nauka, bezbednost, policija, 28(3), 62-74. https://doi.org/10.5937/nabepo28-47438
Radulovic, U. (2024). Motives and Identities: Why South African Whistleblowers Spoke out About State Capture. Administratio Publica, 32(2), 50-72. https://ujcontent.uj.ac.za/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/Motives-and-identities-why-South-African/9942407307691
Sadie, A. (2019). Statement before the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into Allegations of Impropriety regarding the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). Pretoria, South Africa.
Serbia, Republic of. (2014, December 4). Act No. 128 of 2014: Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers. Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia 128/2014.
Shoba, S. (2018, July 22). Hawks go after Themba Maseko. Sunday Times. Hawks go after Themba Maseko (timeslive.co.za)
Smith, N. & Thomas, E. (2015). The Role of Foreign Direct Investment and State Capture in Shaping Innovation Outcome in Russia. Europe-Asia Studies, 67(5), 777-808. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2015.1042430
South Africa, Republic of. (1996, May 8). Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Constitutional Court.
Stimpel, C. (2021). Hijackers on Board: How One Courageous Whistleblower Fought Against the Capture of SAA. Tafelberg.
Styan, J-B. & Vecchiatto, P. (2019). The Bosasa Billions: How the ANC Sold its Soul for Braaipacks, Booze and Bags of Cash. LAPA Publishers.
Sundaram, R. (2018). Indentured: Behind the Scenes at Gupta TV. Jacana Media.
Thakur, C. (2018). Whistle-blower Protection: Does South Africa Match Up? Part I. Helen Suzman Foundation. https://hsf.org.za/publications/hsf-briefs/whistle-blower-protection-does-south-africa-match-up-part-i#sdendnote15anc
Uys, T. (2008). Rational Loyalty and Whistleblowing: The South African Context. Current Sociology, 56(6), 904-921. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392108095345
Uys, T. (2014). Riding Off into the Sunset? Establishing an Inclusive Post-Apartheid South African Community. In J.M. Fritz & J. Rhéaume (Eds.), Community Intervention: Clinical Sociology Perspectives (pp. 201-219). Springer.
Uys, T. (2022). Whistleblowing and the Sociological Imagination. Palgrave Macmillan.
Uzelac, S. (2003). Corruption in Transition Countries: "How to Capture a State" - The Example of Montenegro. SEER: Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe, 6(1/2), 103-116. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43291986
Van Vuuren, H. (2017). Apartheid, Guns and Money: A Tale of Profit. Jacana Media.
Wiener, M. (2020). The Whistleblowers. Pan Macmillan South Africa.
World Bank, The. (2000). Anticorruption in Transition: A Contribution to the Policy Debate. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.
